Have a new trumpet that you want to keep playing well for years to come?
Here are 5 things we recommend you do:
Regular Cleaning
Valve Maintenance
Slide Maintenance
Proper Storage
Regular Checkups
Want to shop for mutes, oils, cleaning supplies and more? You can find those here
Learn more about how each of these recommendations can help you extend the lifespan of your trumpet below:
1. Regular Cleaning: Wiping down your trumpet with a clean cloth each time you play and emptying your spit valves are good first steps, but nothing helps keep your trumpet playing quite like a thorough cleaning of the inside. We recommend our Spiffy Kit complete with a snake brush, valve brush, and mouthpiece brush to really scrub out all the moisture, dirt, and debris.
2. Valve Maintenance: Your valves need to run as smoothly as possible to ensure you can reach the right notes every time. Oil your valves as needed if you start feeling resistance, but don't over-oil as this can gum up the pistons and require a professional cleaning. We love this valve oil and so do band directors.
3. Slide Maintenance: If you start to notice your slides feel dry or don't move as easily as usual, apply a little bit of slide grease to get them moving freely. While you're at it give them a quick lookover for any signs of damage that might need addressing by a technician.
4. Proper Storage: At home or on stage you may want to want use a trumpet stand for easy access, but if you're thinking about traveling with or storing your trumpet you want to consider if you're looking for something lightweight, something durable, or something with extra storage for mutes, mouthpieces, or even another horn. You want to keep your instrument as safe as possible.
5. Regular Checkups: Checkups are necessary to keep your trumpet playing just the way you like it. Playing your trumpet often, regular wear and tear, travel, and more can cause your instrument to fall out of adjustment and result in a buildup of debris inside the horn. Brass technicians take special care to chemically clean, scrub, remove dents, and can help address any concerns you may have.
We hope your new trumpet brings you joy for years to come. Taking care of your instrument can be fun, fulfilling, and allow you to spend more time playing and less time in the repair shop.
Does your trumpet need a good cleaning? Schedule a chemical cleaning